CFO Davinder Athwal emphasizes the importance of having a mind-set that embraces failure and encourages taking calculated risks. He makes the crucial point that being a CFO doesn’t equate to succeeding at everything. In fact, he believes that failure can often lead to valuable lessons. This is a refreshing perspective in a world where finance professionals sometimes shoulder blame unnecessarily. Athwal advises being proactive in identifying and addressing problems and not being afraid to speak up.
Near the end of our conversation, Athwal shares something that most people don’t know about him: Despite his extroverted demeanor and apparent comfort around people, he was actually very shy growing up. Even today, he needs moments to recharge and gather energy before interacting with others. This revelation serves as a reminder that leaders come in all personality types and that introversion is not a barrier to success.
THE MENTORING ROUND: Surprising takeaways from our episode’s final minutes.